I own nothing
Author note- Thank you for all your support. I do have big things planned.
Cheryl in response to your review, Sand Snakes is coming. The Iron Bank is one of Rae's worries and she has plans to pay it off. And finally, The Faith Militant and the High Sparrow the way I see it if Margaery never came and married Joffery then Tommen they would never gain full power that gained in the show. They may appear in the sequel or at the very end of this story.
Sam Pollock, you have made me think of that Thorne reaction and question a great deal. But some things will always be.
The next morning Raenera dressed in a silver-gray gown that had red dragons and flowers embroidered on the bodice of the gown. Her hair was plaited back to held a silver crown that Robb had made to look like his King of North crown only much more feminine. The back of her head the braids were pinned to look a rose. The rest of her hair was down. She looked every bit the Northern Queen. She looked at her babies once more they were playing giggling as they had tummy time. Eyme was watching them.
Rae knew she had to present herself at the sentencing of Lancel Lannister. She took a deep breath. She walked out of the tent. Ser Markas greeted her as she exited the tent. Jaime was with Evalyne talking to Tommen. Robb was already at the council tent. He left the tent long before dawn. They planned to ride for the Pinkmaiden castle after the sentencing. They planned to arrive there by nooning meal. There was dense fog hugging the ground. They could not leave until the fog dissipated. They walked over to council tent. The soldiers that were awake greet her with a bow.
Robb looked up when she entered. She looked every bit the winter's queen. Catelyn stood with Sansa who was flirting with Smalljon. Tyrion stood near Robb. He looked nervous. He did not want to see his cousin die. But he doubted that Lancel would bend a knee to Robb and Rae. He was also worried about Tommen. Lady Evalyne had come to his tent early this morning taking Tommen with her to her and Jaime's tent. This in some ways was a good thing in Tyrion mind but at the same time worried him all the more. Having briefly met his cousin young bride he worried about her. Who he had little doubt was the now the center of Cersei world of defacing the young girl. Rae walked over to Robb kissing him softly. Robb had his King of the North crown on his head. His hand went around her waist. He smiled at her kissing her softly.
"You look radiant, love," Robb said.
"Do I look befitting the title of Queen in the North?" Rae asked teasingly.
"Your Grace, you look every bit the queen of winter," Maege Mormont stated if there was no room for question.
"Thank you Lady Mormont," Rae said.
Ilora came into the tent with Lancel. Lancel looked unsure but he looked at Ilora's face smiling. She nodded her head. The tent fell into dead silence.
"Good Marrow, here in the sights of men and the Gods ask you now what be your decision," Robb said very formally.
All eyes fell to Lancel. He took a step forward along with Ilora. Ilora dropped down to her knees before Lancel had the backbone to do so. She bowed her head before doing so she met Rae's eyes. Rae looked over to Lancel then back to Robb.
"Your Graces, I, Ilora of houses Lannister and Beriar swear loyalty only to you. As it is the lords of light will. Myr will soon follow," Ilora swore.
Tyrion looked at Robb and Raenera for a reaction. They looked shocked. Tyrion took a drink of wine looking then to Lancel. Lancel trembled with nerves. He then took a deep breath dropping to his knees in front of Robb. He drew his sword placing it before him. He was silently praying to any gods that would hear him that he was making the right decision. He bowed his head.
"Your graces, Lords, and Ladies, here before the gods, I Lancel of house Lannister pledge my life, my sword and myself to the rightful king and queen of Westeros. And ask only in return pardons for my past actions," Lancel said.
Robb stared at Lancel for a long moment. After a time he nodded his head. Lancel was now pardoned of all crimes he committed against the crown.
"Arise, Ser Lancel," Robb said.
A few hours later the fog had still hugged the ground but it slowly dissipating. Rae was down by the river with her children, Sansa and Eyme. Smalljon and Markas Dayne were guarding them. Rae held Torrhen in her arms placing him down so he could feel the water. He boots were sitting on a rock on the shore. She was barefoot playing with her babies. Torrhen laughed loudly splashing the water. Lyanna did the same in Sansa's arms. Lilliyan was not so sure of the water by patted it none the less in Eyme arms. Smalljon stood guard watching them as they played. He had a smile on his face. His eyes were ever watchful but often came to rest on Sansa. He was imagining her play with their own child. They all laughed as Torrhen tried to catch a little fish swim nearby him. His little hands made a large splash causing the water to splash up his little arms. He moved so his head was more in his mother arms. Rae giggled lifting up so she could kiss his belly. He let out infectious giggles. Lilliyan reached out for her mother. Rae shook her head shifting Torrhen to rest on her left hip. Then she reached out taking Lilliyan from Eyme. She tightened her hold on her mother's neck. Her little blonde curls fell down her back as she buried her face in her mother's neck. They had been down here for over an hour. It was time get ready to leave. Rae turned back heading over to where her boots were at. Eyme helped her put back on her boots. Eyme took Torrhen in her arms. Lilliyan cuddled right into her mother breast. They were heading back toward camp. Lilliyan spied Smalljon. She reached out for him to take her. He did so with a sigh. But Rae could see that he was very happy to do so. The little girls had him and their father and great uncle wrapped around their little finger. Smalljon offered Sansa his arm. She smiled linking arms with him. She watched them walk off Ser Markas stayed with her.
Rae turned when she hear the sound of a rock sinking into the water. She was a downtrodden-looking Tommen. He kicked a stone in the water. She walked over to Tommen. He looked lost. He looked over to her as he saw her approach. He dropped into a bow.
"Your Grace," Tommen said
Rae could hear the tears in his voice. She placed her hand on his shoulder. It was enough to make him look up at her. She gave him a sad smile. She motion over to the large rock. She sat down he sat down next to her.
"Tommen, you can call me Raena. You don't have to call me your grace," Rae told him.
"Joff made me call him that. It is your station. It would be wrong not to call you by your proper title." Tommen argued.
"I'm not Joffery. You right now are a scared and unsure child that is in need of comfort. I am offering you comfort. Forget for now I am queen," Rae said.
Tommen looked on the fog covered river. He bit his bottom lip before looking up at Rae. He had tears in his eyes.
"My whole life has been a lie," Tommen said looking away.
"Tommen, hey look at me," Rae started. She took his chin in her hands making him look at her. She hugged him close. She had gone through something like this years ago. She remembered Jon Arryn words to her even now. His green eyes, that remind Rae so much of Jaime's eyes, met her amethyst eyes. "No, it hasn't. You are still the boy I knew in King's Landing as are you now. You just know the truth now. Yes, what your parents did is horrible and wrong. But loved each other, you are the product of that love. Cersei may not have shown it but she loved you very much. Jaime I know wished to be with you more. But Cersei would not allow him. She feared that people would know that you were not Robert's. I know what you are feeling. You feel lost betrayed, unloved, and so many other emotions are run through your mind," Rae said.
"How," Tommen asked in shock.
"I was younger than you. It was before you were even thought about. Joffery was maybe four years old at the time. My whole life was a lie. A lie, which saved my life when I was a baby. But a lie none the less. You have heard many times in your time with Robert how horrible the Targaryen where. They were the stories of evil people that you fear. That the good King Robert defeated. I learn when I was five I was one of them. My father words to me still echo true for me and for you. You are still same you this changes nothing. You were this since you were born, and you were this yesterday. Today you just know the truth. And knowledge is power it shapes who we are. The question is what do you do with that knowledge," Rae said.
"That's why Joffery not fit to be king," Tommen asked.
"One of many reasons, you remember the people in flea bottom," Rae asked.
Tommen hugged her close looking up at Rae. He tilted his head he still had many questions in his head. Rae smiled down at him.
"Yes, Mother would not anyone take me there. I heard guards and maids talking, though," Tommen said.
"A King needs to care for all people not just the rich. Has Joffery ever cared about anyone other than himself?" Rae asked.
"He used to make fun of me all the time. Mother said it would change in time but it never did. What about Cella? Is she like me and Joffery?" Tommen asked.
"Yes, but you and Marcella have nothing to worry about. You are innocent in all of this," Rae assured.
"You are going to kill my mother?" Tommen asked.
"She will be given a fair trial and Gods will decide her fate that all I can promise you Tommen," Rae said.
Tommen looked up at her with many questions on his face. He was truly an intelligent caring and kind child. In time he would have grown to be a good ruler if he had the right tutoring. Rae could see Jaime so much in him. It was hard for her to see Cersei in him.
"You can ask, anything you want," Rae said.
"What do I call Uncle Jaime? What's going to happen to me now? Will Jaime love me now that he has a wife and child on the way? Will that child take my place in his heart?"
"You can call Jaime whatever you want. I don't believe Jaime ever dreamed that he could ever raise you. But you can ask him if you unsure? Jaime and Tyrion will always love you. That child that he has with Evalyne will never change your, Marcella or Joffery place in his heart. The final question is up to you. I can name ward of the crown and I will take care of you with Robb and Lady Catelyn. Or I can let Tyrion have a hand in raising you. Or finally, you can live with Lady Evalyne and Lord Jaime." Rae paused. Tommen looked at her unsure. He was worried about what Evalyne was like. She seemed nice. She was nothing like his mother. She had helped him with his kittens in the morning. "Lady Evalyne is nice she will welcome you if you want to let Jaime and her raise you. I won't lie to Tommen it will be hard for a time. But regardless what you choose no one will fault you," Rae finished.
Tommen looked back to the river bend. He watched the fog swirl across the top of the river. A ray of sunlight pierced the fog making the green-brown water to be fully visible. He looked back to Rae.
"I want to be with my father. Can I ride with you and Lady Evalyne today," Tommen said.
Rae smiled at Tommen. She stood up taking his hand in her heading back to the camp. That was likely breaking.
The sun danced over the water gardens in Dorne. Doran sat watching the water gardens. Areo Hotah stood guard. Doran watched Marcella and Trystane playing in the water Gardens with Obella, Dorea, and Loreza. Nymeria, Obara, and Tyene were sparring with each other in the training yard. Elia was working the horses it was her passion. The last of the sand snakes, Sarella, was in Old Town at Doran direction. She had recently written him that Robb and Raenera had sent Maester Davith to find out some information about a possible wedding between Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Doran did not know what to make of that information. He used to the chess match was the game of thrones. He had bid his time knowing that Lannister's would fall in time. Oberyn had written him that Tywin and Mountain had fallen. And once King's Landing was taken he would bring home their heads. Seven Hells, Doran would make the journey himself when the Queen Raenera sat on the Iron Throne, even if he did not like her choice of husband. He had this much to say about The Young Wolf that was now Raenera's King. He was adept at battles. He was more cunning than Tywin had given him credit for.
Maester Caleotte approached. He was stopped by Aero. The large battle ax blocked they path. Prince Doran looked over nodding to let Maester Caleotte approach. He had a letter in his hands. He came over to Prince Doran handing him the raven's message. Prince Doran read the message. He sat back taking a deep breath. He looked over to Maester Caleotte who had not left yet.
"Send for my nieces, Obara, Nymeria and Tyene. Also alert the rest of Dorne Army be ready to leave in my daybreak tomorrow," Prince Doran ordered.
Prince Doran turned back to watching the Water Gardens. He was shocked that Queen Raenera was calling for all able body people to fight for her. His brother wrote him that he wanted Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene with rest Dorne army to meet him at Tumbleton. They would be taking King's Landing within a few moons time. He watched as Marcella picked up Loreza dancing in the water gardens. Trystane looked at her lovingly. He was falling for the young lioness.
A few moment later, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene approach. They looked out a breath. They were shocked that Prince Doran called for them. Doran turned and regarded them. They all had their weapons of choice on them.
"You wanted to see us," Nymeria started.
"Yes, be ready to leave at daybreak," Prince Doran ordered.
"Leave for where?" Obara said irritated
"Your father has sent for you. You send so much time with your weapons. It's about time you get to use them. You will company the rest of Dorne army to Tumbleton where you help retake King Landing. Spilling Lannister blood repaying the blow that they to our family," Prince Doran said.